‘Children’s Book Review’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Book Review: Don’t Judge a Lizard By His Scales {The Principle Gang Series}

October 15, 2014 · Narrative

Bullying is a hot button of a topic these days. It’s so much more than what it was years ago when we were in school. And it’s become much worse because of the many different avenues that children can bully or be bullied. While the advancement of technology is generally hailed as a good thing, it also bring about more ways to spread negativity.

Years ago, kids would settle their disagreements outside on the playground after school. Or torment each other in the school hallways. Shove kids into lockers. Steal their lunch.

But after school, aside from random prank calls, it was done. A brief respite until the next school day.

One hopes.

But these days, with Instagram and Facebook and Vine and ask.fm and all the other ways kids can connect with other kids … well, there is no escaping it.

And it’s unfortunate that it’s a problem that has become so out of hand that there is an entire month dedicated to bullying awareness (October).

And all moms want to do is protect our kids. And keep them little.

So we have many conversations about it. How to treat people. How to respond if someone isn’t treating you or your friends properly. How and when things need to be escalated.

I am a huge proponent on giving kids the space they need to try and work problems out amongst themselves. They need to tools and opportunity to do this so they can function in the world on their own … for those times when I can’t swoop in and save the day. Sometimes kids are able to work it out amongst themselves and move on. Sometimes parents have to intervene.

But it’s always a topic we talk about. Open door policy and all. I want it to be clear that I am here for my kids, and their friends, however needed. It’s a sobering topic, and something that, as a parent, you have to carefully balance on that line between being fully involved in your child’s life and yet not being a helicopter parent. The line between letting them work things out on their own, and knowing when to step in.

A delicate balancing act and certainly a topic that we need to be all over. It’s one of those topics that you wish you didn’t have to talk about, but you have to.

The Dugi Group Publishers sent me two new children’s books to check out on this very topic, Don’t Judge a Lizard By Its Scales and Wizard Lizard Rides the Subway, and Madeline and I read them together last night.

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Book Review: Hookitty-Tookitty-Tah

August 16, 2013 · Narrative

Madeline and I are officially halfway through our goal of reading ten books this summer, and she very nicely reminded me yesterday that we need to pick up the pace. After all, there’s ten bucks from TD Bank on the table for completing our goal, and she does so love adding to her savings account.

Hookitty-Tookitty-Tah, a new book from musician and author Antonio Mugica, arrived on our doorstep recently, and it was the perfect bedtime read. You want a story that is short, but not too short, has a good storyline that gets neatly wrapped up by the end, and has colorful pictures to boot. Or maybe that’s just me? Of course, as the kids get older, the criteria changes, but right now, these requirements help me keep the “read to the kids almost every night” promise easily. {Of course, Nick is buried in chapter books or the guinness book of gross, weird things, so the criteria is different}

The Hookitty-Tookitty-Tah story is cute. In an effort to make peace with a dragon, a king decides to keep him well-fed, so that the dragon will be happy to eat sweets, instead of the townspeople. But then he eats too much, gets sick, and changes colors. The local chef wizard, Mr. Hookitty-Tookitty-Tah was called in to save the day and … spoiler alert … he does. The verse throughout the book reminded me a bit of Dr. Seuss’ way with words, but at a slightly slower pace. The colorful pictures from beginning to end were eye-catching, although slightly busy as times.

Would we recommend it? Yes. It’s a cute story, an easy read, and something slightly different in the sometimes overloaded children’s book market.

Not too late for you and your kids to participate in TD Bank’s Summer Reading Program for their own $10 prize. Details can be found right here. And if you’re not near a TD Bank location, there are a few other summer reading programs listed at the bottom of this post.

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Book Review: Bedtime Math {Laura Overdeck}

July 4, 2013 · Narrative

Last year, when Nick was in fourth grade, he fell in love with Math. And it was all because of one teacher. Mrs. Daniels loved to teach. She loves math. And she loves her fourth grade students. She had been teaching fourth graders for many years and when she stood in front of her class, you could feel her passion for her kids and her subject matter.

And that made all the difference in the world.

It was through his time with her that Nick developed major Math skills. And it continued through this year as well, even though he had a different teacher.

I am forever grateful for the teachers that teach because they love it. The kids. Their subjects. Finding new ways to reach their students. Because it resonates ten thousand fold.

So when I was asked if I wanted to review Bedtime Math, Laura Overdeck’s first book, I immediately said yes. I was intrigued by the concept of brushing up, learning, or practicing Math skills at bedtime. It all started when Laura and her husband would count their daughter’s stuffed animals as they put her to bed. Two more kids later, and it evolved into small Math problems and stories. Then, on a lark, she started e-mailing the Math problems to friends and family members, and just a few short months later, with their encouragement and countless e-mail forwards, there was a web site, an e-mail marketing plan, and 20,000 followers on facebook.

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Book Review: Skippyjon Jones in the Dog House

June 7, 2013 · Narrative

I have never been confused by a children’s book. I mean, given their intended demographic, the storyline shouldn’t be too overwhelming.

And then we read Skippyjon Jones in the Dog House. One of the more confusing books Madeline and I have read together in … like, ever.

It’s about a Siamese cat, Skippyjon Jones, who was punished after coloring on the walls in his home. Then, all the sudden, he imagined himself a Chihuahua and was off on a caped crusader adventure.

Just in the first few pages alone, his Mom called him by four different names, in addition to his real name of Skippyjon Jones. Playfully, of course, but hard for the average young reader to understand. While he is off on his little Mexican adventure (I’m not entirely sure if he snuck out or was just dreaming), the content was peppered with Spanish words, made-up words, and generally nonsensical stuff.

As I was reading the story, I caught Madeline giving me the side-eye. I met her gaze, “This is a really weird story, isn’t it?” She nodded and we quickly finished so we could move on to the next book in our stack.

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Book Review: Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun {Embracing the Different}

October 11, 2012 · Narrative

Being able to embrace the different is something that hits close to my heart. And, for me, it’s a double-edged sword.

I want to raise kids that are supremely comfortable with who they are, and confident enough that they can embrace the different. Be ok with not following the pack. Leading their own little pack perhaps a different way. Playing football if you’re a girl. Coloring if you’re a boy. Blurring the lines between “what’s normal” and “what’s normal for me.”

To just raise kids that are confident in being themselves. Whatever self that may be.

But here’s where it gets tricky. I don’t want them to be *so* different that they become an outcast. Neither are in danger of that, but it’s something that floats in the back of my mind. You want them to be confident enough to handle any criticism that may ever come their way, and confident enough to be who they are. From now until the end of time.

And as a parent, that’s a pretty tall order.

Last year, Madeline became seriously, amusingly obsessed with wearing glasses. As an accessory. And Santa Claus delivered, with a pair of her very own in her Christmas stocking. Sometime after, through the disaster that is her bedroom (because it so rarely looks like this), they got lost.

Earlier this week, after having a day off from school and having to spend the day with me at work, I surprised her by taking her out to the store so she could pick out another pair of glasses.

You would have thought I adopted a unicorn.

I love that it takes so little to make her happy. That she is truly, honestly content with whatever she has.

She wore the glasses the rest of the day. Couldn’t wait to show Nick after he got home from school. And fell asleep, clasping the glasses in her little hands.

She had planned to wear them to school the next day. She wore them at Nick’s bus stop that morning. And in the car on the way to her school.

But when we got there, she took them off. I asked her why, and she said, “What if people make fun of me?”

“Oh Madeline,” I started, my heart breaking just a little. “You need to do what makes you happy. You love those glasses, and you look adorable in them. And without them. If you want to wear them, then wear them. And your real friends won’t make fun of you.”

Oh the things that go through that little four-year-old head. I hate that we’re starting such thoughts so early.

And even more with her, because she is one of the most confident people I know, amongst children and adults combined.

It took a few days, but she finally wore them to school. And all was fine.

As I hoped it would be.

Because nobody should be crushing that little girl’s spirit.

Or anyone else’s.

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